Prevention of non-narcotic analgesics use by traditional Thai massage

Abstract

Non-Narcotic Analgesics like Aspirin or combination of AC (Aspirin and Caffeine) are available and popular in labor-aged group in both urban and rural area for half a century. Most of them use it because of body pain not antipyretic or anti-inflammation. Some use every day and some use every week. These make the overdosage consumption which can cause gastrointestinal erosion, ulceration and hemorrhage. To prevent these risks, Traditional Thai Massage is considered as one of the strategies. This is just a pilot project study that conducted in Dan Jak Subdistrict, Non Thai District, Nakornrajsima Province. At the training process, 46 persons from 43 households were trained to know about the basic Thai massage. Two months later, we found that 1. The community accepted the massage. About 70 percent of the trainees massaged each other, members in their homes and their neighbours; 2. Though the analgesics are still used especially in the hard working day. It seemed to be used less than before the training. For the persons who use every day, they tried to reduce the dosage, and the others tried to not use. However, we will summarize the final result at the end of the project in April 1988.